by Osamu Saruyama
Western candle stands have traditionally been crafted from a wide variety of materials—brass, combinations of iron and wood, ceramics—each reflecting the aesthetics and sensibilities of its time. Their forms and materials have evolved alongside shifting historical contexts. Drawing on the refined craftsmanship of Hasami ware artisans, this candle stand reinterprets classical Western motifs in white porcelain. Its finely articulated details lend it a subtle tension, creating a presence reminiscent of the medieval period.
The piece is produced through a complex process in which the upper section and the base are cast separately using different molding techniques, then carefully joined together. Fired in the kilns of Hasami, Nagasaki, it carries a delicate trace of the region’s unique historical connection to the West.
